By Wayne Veysey

6th Jan, 2022 | 7:30am

Sources: Aston Villa in pole position to sign Coutinho ahead of Arsenal - deal could be agreed this week

Aston Villa are the frontrunners to sign Philippe Coutinho and could even agree a deal this week, Football Insider has learned.

The Midlands giants are one of a number of Premier League clubs who have made contact with Barcelona about a deal for the playmaker.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Villa are currently in pole position to sign him this month ahead of Arsenal.

Barcelona want £50million for their club-record signing, who joined from Liverpool for £146m in January 2018.

The Spanish giants will not get anywhere near their asking price this month given the attacking midfielder’s mixed form.

But Barcelona are willing to sell and need to raise funds after the £55m signing of Ferran Torres from Man City.

Steven Gerrard is leading Villa’s pursuit for a player he knows well from his days at Liverpool, where they were teammates when Brendan Rodgers was the manager.

That relationship could prove pivotal in the final decision of Coutinho as he weighs up the options in front of him.

Arsenal are also believed to be pushing strongly for a deal as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

Coutinho was regarded as one of the finest playmakers in the world during his days at Liverpool.

But he has struggled to live up to his transfer fee at Barcelona, and also had a season on loan at Bayern Munich.

He has been on the fringes of the Barca side this season, clocking up just 608 minutes from 16 appearances in all competitions.

In other news, Aston Villa have made contact over signing Newcastle United target with £30m price tag.